ChokLit-coated R&B Flava straight outta tha ChokLitFactory.

Drake released the video for his next single, produced by Kanye West, Find Your Love. Anthony Mandler directed the clip in Jamaica with Video model Maliah Michel and Dancehall star Movado. My first thought of the video was that Drake seemed a bit out of place with the gritty background and badman theme, but I do like that he didn’ t try to act like something he wasn’t. Movado was a scene-stealer and is extra sinister-looking in the video. I think the video enhances the feelings behind the song for me, and I’m definitely feeling the abrupt ending.

Alicia Keys speaks to Billboard magazine about the concept of her video for Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart. This is a different treatment than I expected for this video…I’m not sure I’m feeling it based on her description, but it will be directed by Syndrome (T-Pain’s Can you Believe it, Jazmine Sullivan’s Lions, Tigers & Bears) so there will more likely be a lot of special effects added to the final version. This is one of my favourite songs out right now so I will be disappointed if the video is lackluster 😦

I noticed Alicia is wearing the purple lipstick that is all the rage in fashion nowadays…just ask the ladies at What Women Want. I’m not 100% sold on this look, but I”m sure that will not matter. Check out the video below. Are ya’ll as excited for the video premiere as I am?

Fresh off of her moving tribute to her deceased brother, Janet Jackson has leaked her own track Sunday night onto the ‘Nets. This is a new track called Make Me. Janet has had some bad luck recently ever since she decided to let boyfriend Jermaine Dupri executive produce her albums. But I think she may have finally learned her lesson and is doing her music solo this time around – but I could be wrong. I just want Janet to hook up with Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam again. If the formula works, why change it? Make Me sounds a little more pop, but still similar to some of the the music she was making on her last album Discipline. I can’t say I am amped for this song…but maybe it will grow on me. What do ya’ll think?

The big news today is Whitney Houston’s new album can be previewed on her website today. For a limited time you can preview her new album so you can purchase the album when it drops September 11th August 31s. Ya’ll already know I’m riding first-class on the Whitney Promo train! I’m listening to the preview right now and so far I am liking what I am hearing. The album sounds more like another My Love is Your Love and I can’t be mad at that. Whitney sounds great! She has lost some of her powerful pipes a bit, but she still has the Voice. Million Dollar Bill is still one of my faves!

In other news, Whitney will be the special guest on the Premiere episode of Oprah’s new season so set your TiVos!

Meet Shanell aka SNL aka the Softer, sexier side of Young Money Entertainment. Formerly belonging to ATL girl group, The Girl’s Club and sister to former Danity Kane Member, D. Woods, Shanell has been flying beneath the radar for a minute now. Looks like Lil Wayne has snatched her up and added her to his growing Young Money Entertainment group. I’ve heard some of her music previously. SNL rides with a Vanity 6/Prince-type swagga, with a strong 80s electro soul feel to her music. She is also a talented songwriter who has written from Danity Kane’s last album. I like Shanell as an artist and I think she has a lot of potential, I’m just not sure who her target market is (gay men perhaps?) and if the mainstream will latch on her sound. Judge for yourself. As for this particular song, I like it – sans the heavy guitars on the hook which are a bit overkill in my opinion.

Ester Dean is a bit of a mystery. For the life of me I cannot find a picture of Ester on the Internet (despite this being the age of the image). She first caught my interest when she featured on a remix (one of many) to Jeremih’s Birthday Sex. Her voice reminds me of Keyshia Cole’s with its rawness and its power. Ester is a songwriter who like fellow Hot ChokLit girl Keri Hilson, is trying to make a name for herself as a solo artist. She is currently signed to Polow Da Don’s Zone 4 Entertainment. While I like Ester’s voice, this song doesn’t do a whole lot for me. Its a typical Polow beat with a chopped-and-screwed repetetive hook, but the lyrics are far from inspiring. I think Ester may need to return to the Lab with this one, but I’ll keep an ear out for her on future releases. Did ya’ll like it?

**I had meant to post these a week ago, but I was a bit pre-occupied with last week’s Caribanna preparations, also my sister came to visit :)**

Picture courtesy TextualHarassement.wordpress.com

My girl DJ HazelEyez wanted to make sure I showed this song some love in the Factory. R.Kelly is currently on the grind, trying to stay relevant in a changing R&B world. Kelly now has to compete with the real sex appeal and swag of artists like Trey Songz; the impossibly melodic creativity of artists like TheDream and the undeniable soul of artists like Maxwell. Kellz former unmovable fan base are moving in other directions so Robert has his work cut out for him in trying to gain them back. Out of This Club is a laid back dance track that Kelly originally recorded with pop group PCD (Pussycat Dolls) that is a bit repetitive at first, but grows on you all the same. This remixed version credits Fabolous as the guest Rapper on the track, although this does not sound like Loso to me – more like a Fabolous-sounding rapper. Still, I do like this track.

This next song has Kelly teaming up with Rising star Keri Hilson on the sexy duet, Number One. Kelly has sex on the brain in this song, boasting that his sex is the best, when it is with You. Keri holds her own on this song; her voice rides the track effortlessly and her lyrics are also on point. This song is reminiscent of a duet Kelly did with Ciara for her Promise Remix they did a couple years back. Number One definitely stands out for me as a possible comeback song contender. Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a Keri feature, she is currently very Hawt right now!

Yesterday this photo was released, supposedly being the proposed cover art for Rihanna’s new album, Rated R. I liked it right away, except for the blurriness that led me to assume it was a fake. It is still a hot pic. I assume it will need to be re-shot to include Rihanna’s new haircut she showed off recently while on the go. The pics below are recent ones of Rhi Rhi arriving at London’s Heathrow airport looking cue and casual. I think the haircut looks HOT! Very few people can pull it off. Many celebrities (Cassie, La La, Nina Sky) are shaving the sides of their head for a punk-inspired look. I’m feeling most of the styles even though I think they might be a little butch..but maybe that is the look they were goin for! Rihanna’s newest album is slated for a December release. If you haven’t heard her latest single, Te Amo, click here!